Dodgers Need Help in the Bullpen

Victor Decolongon/Getty ImagesKenley Jansen is not enuf

The Dodgers bullpen looked pretty good in the first half.

Even as closer Javy Guerra struggled and then went on the DL, they were able to get immediate help from fireballer Kenley Jansen who now has 18 saves and an ERA of 2.01. He also has 67 strikeouts in less than 50 innings.

But, Jansen is not enough.

Anyone who watched the Dodgers play the Mets probably had to reach for the Pepto as their stomach turned.

With a 6 to 3 lead going into the eighth inning, Ronald Belisario gave up two runs. Then Jansen got two outs in the ninth, walked two and barely got out of the inning and the game with a save.

Josh Lindblom, Scott Elbert, Todd Coffey are not names that instill confidence and the middle relief is troubling to say the least.

Look for this to be a weakness going forward as the Dodgers are unable to secure a solid reliever at the deadline.

So, there is little question they need some run production via the big bang.

Don't hold your breath on this one as there are so few power hitters available. They tried to get Carlos Lee, for instance, and he went to Miami. Not even sure if there are any other borderline power men out there from which to choose.

Will They Get Any Younger?

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The Dodgers could use a bit of youth to pep them up.

With Ted Lily, Bobby Abreu, Juan Rivera, Adam Kennedy, Jerry Hairston, Jr., Aaron Harang, Chris Capuano and Juan Uribe all in the second or third phases of their careers, there is definite room for a younger crew.

The team made a move in the right direction by signing 21-year-old Cuban outfielder Yasel Puig, but it would nice to bring in some other guys in their twenties to add some energy to the team.

It is always good to have a blend of vets and youth, but the Dodgers seem to be too heavy in the grey-hair area.

What they need is some hip hop in their step which may not come at trade time.